Jackson Free Press

The announcement that Costco wants to build in Jackson on Lakeland Drive has created a rift between those who are thrilled that Costco wants to bring 235 decent-paying jobs into the city of Jackson and residents and museum directors who are concerned about green space and traffic/commercial congestion.

It's a tough issue, no doubt. As big-box retailers go, Costco is probably the best, thanks to a CEO who apparently cares about employees. It's also a boon to see the company want to come into Jackson instead of our bedroom communities—showing that the anything-but-Jackson trend is fast reversing.

But the opponents also have a point. The Lakeland Drive congestion would be even more onerous than it is, and the fledgling museum district in the area, bolstered by the wild success of the Mississippi Children's Museum, is just getting its legs. There certainly is a conversation to be had about what should happen in that area, and what guarantees would be in place for shielding those areas from commercialization should rezoning be approved in the future.

That's where city leadership needs to step up and open lines of communication, not close them by saying that it's a done deal. We're told that the negotiations were secret during the Chokwe Lumumba administration—for competitive reasons on Costco's end. We get that, but the community has never had a chance to be heard or express their concerns, much less look at the plans that would change an important swath of public land and green space.

We urge Mayor Tony Yarber to hold a community forum and invite the plan's rivals, as well as Costco representatives, to the table to discuss the plans. If Costco is as community-driven as its reputation indicates, we can't imagine that they would reject such a dialogue.

If and hopefully when that happens, we urge the opponents to come to that table with an open mind as well and with a willingness to compromise and help fashion a solution that considers everyone's needs.

Yes, non-minimum-wage jobs are important; so are green space, cultural institutions and the ability to get to work in the city without pulling your hair out every morning.

This Costco opportunity is a chance for our community to come together. It is a complicated issue, and we are confident that all players—from Lumumba to Yarber to concerned residents to the planning board—have had the city's best interests at heart. Let's get everyone into a room, urge all sides to be willing to listen and disagree respectfully, and see what awaits on the other side of such a transparent, public conversation.

There is no easy solution, but being heard will go a long way toward helping the community come together and welcome a Costco to the city. And maybe even come up with a compromise.